Suction nozzle



Dec. 24, 1935.

G. H. CRANMER 2,025,443

SUCTION NOZZLE Filed July 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 WM I WIJW W ATTORNEY.

Dec. 24, 1935. cRANMER 2,025,443

SUCTION NOZZLE Filed July 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v if 5? 5/ J3 %/7' m f0 a5? a? 5 f W 11 i7 /5' INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUCTION NOZZLE George Horace Cranmer, Philadelphia, lPa., as- I signor, by mesne assignments, to Electrolux Corporation, Dover, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application July 12, 1935, Serial No. 31,026

16 Claims. (Cl. 15-l57) My invention relates to vacuum cleaners and. Further objects and advantages of my invenparticularly to suction cleaning nozzles for use tion will be apparent from the following descripin connection therewith. tion when considered in connection with the ac- For cleaning under different conditions it is companying drawings on which:

preferable to have different types of cleaning noz- Fig; 1 is a. rear view of a nozzle including one 5 zles. For instance, if a. rug is being cleaned which embodiment of my i v o has a deep pile in which dirt is embedded, the Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the nozzle shown in best results are obtained if the lips of the suction F nozzle produce as perfect a seal as is possible Fig. 3 is a bottom view of a portion of the nozwith the rug. This causes substantially all of the 216 as shown in Fig. 2 but with certain parts in 10 air to be drawn through the rug, thus dislodging different po and removing the dirt embedded therein. On the Fig. 4 is a view of one of the parts included in other hand, if the dirt is located on the surface" t e o e Show in S- 1 through a better cleaning action is obtained if the air is Fig. 5 is a View of another part;

caused to pass with considerable velocity sub- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the 15 stantially parallel to the surface inentering the line 6-6 of Fig. 2; nozzle. Likewise, threads and other compara- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line tively large particles of dirt or foreign matter adl'| of Fig. 2; hering to the surface of a rug may be more readr Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the ily removed with a nozzle which causes air-flow line 88 of Fig. 2; 20 in this manner, than with a nozzle which draws Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the the air through the rug. line 99 of Fig. 2;

One of the objects of my invention is to provide Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the a single nozzle which may be used either to draw line l0l0 of Figair through the material of the rug or other sur- Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another of the 25 face being cleaned orto cause the air to pass at parts; 1 relatively high velocity parallel to the surface. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to that Another object of my invention is the provishown in Fig. 7, but with certain parts in a difsion of such a nozzle which may be quickly and ferent position;

easily altered from one form to another. Fig. 13 is a bottom view, similar to Fig. 2, but 80 A still further object of my invention is to proshowing a second embodiment of my invention;

vide a convertible nozzle having selective work Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged engaging portions, one of which may serve to scale, taken on the line lL-H of Fig. 13; cover the other or may be retracted wholly or Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view, on anenlarged partially to within the wall of the nozzle, to unscale, taken on the line l5l5 of Fig. 13; 35 cover the other portion. When so retracted, the Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on the portion is substantially out of sight and in no line Iii-i6 of Fig. 15; and manner interferes with or affects the operation Fig. 1'7 is a top view of the nozzle shown in Figs.

of the nozzle. In accordancewith my invention, 13 through 16.

one of the work engaging portions may be Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, 40 smooth, to give the sealing efiect desirable for rereference character [0 designates a nozzle mouth.- moving imbedded dirt, while the other portion piece which may be cast of metal, phenol conmay be formed with grooves for directing flow of densate or other suitable material and includes air parallel to the surface undergoing cleaning in walls defining an elongated. suction mouth ll order to remove surface dirt. More specifically, bounded by a forward lip l2, a rear lip l3, and 45 my invention involves forming the grooved porend lips l4 and I5. These lips are formed with tion as a stationary rod upon which is rotatably faces which are adapted to contact the surface mounted a tubular member having a smooth being cleaned. Mouthpiece I0 is provided with outer surface and a part cut away. Thus, the a hollow connection member l6 which communitubular member may cover the grooved surface cates with the interior of the mouthpiece and is 50 of the rod so as to present a smooth lip to the adapted to be connected withaconduit leading to surface undergoing cleaning, or it may be rotated a vacuum cleaner unit. Such conduit may comso that the cut away part is in alignment with prise a stiff tubular member connected to memthe grooves, which are hence uncovered and preber it, this tubular member in turn being con sent a grooved lip to the rug or other surface. nected to the vacuum cleaner suction unit by 55 means of a flexible hose. The stiff tubular member serves as a handle for manipulating the suction nozzle. As is well known, the vacuum cleaner unit includes a suction producing device and. preferably, a dust separating member for removing dust from the air.

In the embodiment shown, rear lip I3 is formed with a semi-circular groove I 1 which extends substantially the entire length of the lip. Rigidly fixed within this groove is a preferably cylindrical rod I8, One end of rod I8 is formed with a portion I9 of reduced diameter which is received within a bore 28 formed in the material of the lip adjacentthe end of groove I1. A hole 2| is formed through the other end of rod I8. A bolt 22 is adapted to pass through hole 2| and engage a tapped hole 23 formed in the lip. This securely fastens the rod in the groove.

The lower face of rod I8, which projects beyond groove I1, is formed with a plurality of transverse grooves 24 and, if desired, with a longitudinal groove 25. These grooves divide this face of rod I8 into a plurality of lugs 26 having circular surface contacting faces.

Rod I8 is of somewhat less diameter than the diameter of groove I1 and is fixed concentrically with respect to the groove. Hence an annular space exists between the rod and the groove. Rotatably mounted on rod I8 is a tubular member 21. Throughout the greater part of its length this tubular member is cut away, as is shown at 28 in Fig. 5, so'as to be semi-cylindrical. The ends of member 21 are not cut and constitute complete cylinders 29 and 38 surrounding rod I8. The thickness of the material of tubular member 21 is. substantially equal to the thickness of the annular space between rod I8 and groove I1, whereby the tubular member may be rotated so that its semi-cylindrical portion lies behind rod I8 as is shown in Figs. 2, 7, and 9, thus exposing the grooves 24 and 25 formed in the surface cont acting face of rod I8. Due to this construction, air leakage is essentially prevented through this annularspace whether the member 21 is in position to cover rod I8 or retracted within the lip.

On the other hand, if it is desired that these grooves be covered so that the rear lip of the nozzle will effect a seal with the surface being cleaned, member I1 is rotated to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 12 and in this position the semi-circular part'of member 21 covers the groove in rod I8.

In order to provide means for locking the tubular member in either position, and for readily rotating it from one position to another, a locking member 35 is provided. Member 35 is formed with a cylindrical portion 35 which is rotatably mounted on the part of reduced diameter I8 of rod I8. Cylindrical portion 38 is connectedto a straight or fiat portion 31 which extends through a slot 38 formed in cylindrical portion 38 of tubular member 21. Consequently, when member 35 is rotated it causes tubular member 21 to rotate therewith. A groove 48 is formed in the material of the lip adjacent to the end 38 of the tubular member and is in alignment with the slot 38 in the tubular member when the latter is in either of its extreme positions. Member 35 is axially slidable on part .13 as well as being rotatably mounted thereon. When moved axially to the position shown in Fig. 10, one end of the flat portion 31 of member 35 enters groove 48 and thus locks the member and tubular member 21 against rotation. If it is desired to rotate the tubular member, locking member 35 is moved or slid upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 10 until it is disengaged from groove 48 whereupon it may be rotated through 180 degrees. If it is then moved downwardly again it engages slot 48 on the other side of the center about which member 35 was rotated and is securely locked in this position. Member 35 is preferably formed with a convenient hand-grasp portion 42 so that it may be easily manipulated.

In order to cover the head of screw 22 and to provide a smooth surface contacting face for lip I 3 throughout its entire length, a semi-cylindrical piece of material 43 may be snapped over rod I8 between the end of tubular member 21 and the end of recess I1. This-member 43 is preferably made of the same material as is tubular member 21 and the material has suflicient resiliency so'that frictional engagement between member 43 and recesses 84 is sufficient to hold it in place. It may be pried out if it is desired to remove screw 22.

The operation of the device will be largely apparent from the above description thereof. In cleaning a rug in which dirt has become embedded, it is best to use the nozzle with tubular member 21 covering thegrooves of rod -I8. That is, tubular member 21 should be in the position shown in Figs. 12 and 3. This gives lip I3 a smooth sealing surface and inasmuch as the other lips are smooth, an effective seal is obtained between the nozzle and the surface. This prevents air from flowing in large quantities under the lips of the nozzle and causes the air to be drawn substantially entirely through the material. As above explained, this air dislodges and removes the embedded dirt.

If it is desired to remove surface dirt, and particularly such objects as threads which tend to adhere to a rug, hand-grasp portion 42 of member 35 is grasped with the hand and moved longitudinally of the nozzle a slight distance so as to disengage part 31 from groove 48. Thereupon, member 35 may be rotated through 180 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 7 and then moved back longitudinally so as to engage groove 48. This causes tubular 45 member 21 to be rotated to and locked in the position shown in Fig. 7, in which the semi-cylindrical part lies between rod I8 and the bottom of groove I1. The grooves of rod I8 are thus exposed and, when the nozzle is passed over the surface to be cleaned, air enters the interior of the nozzle through these grooves. Thus, a strong current of air is caused to pass parallel to the surface, which air is effective in removing surface dirt including threads or the like. Also the irregular surface presented by the lugs 26 on rod I8 tends to dislodge threads and the like so that they may be picked up by the air.

-In Figs. 13 through 17, I have shown a second embodiment of my invention, which differs from that above described primarily in the fact that a different rotating and locking device is employed. Reference character I8 designates the mouthpiece having surface contacting lips I2, I3, I4, and I5. Lip I3 is formed with a semi-cylindrical groove I1 within which is fixed rod I8, the lower face of which is formed with a plurality of transverse grooves 24, as. descrlbedin connection with the first embodiment. One end ofthe rod, as is shown in Fig. 14, is received within cylindrical bore 58 formed ,in'the mouthpiecein alignment with groove H. A bolt 5| extends through an opening 52 formed in the nozzle and engages a threaded aperture in rod I 8, thus securing the rod in place.

Tubular member 21 is rotatably mounted on rod i8 and extends the entire length of groove IT. The more central portion of tubular member 21 is cut away, asis shown at 28 in the same manner as described in connection with the first embodiment. The mouthpiece is formed with a tubular bore 53 in alignment with groove 01 which receives an extension 54 secured to the end of tubular member 21. Extension 54 may comprise a short section ofrod, of the same diameter as rod it, which is secured to the tubular member by means of a rivet or the like 55. The outer end of extension as is formed with a slot 55 within which is pivotally mounted on a pin or rivet 58, a locking member 57!. Member 57/ preferably comprises a strip of resilient material doubled heels on itself, as is shown clearly in Fig. 16, so that the ends of the strip received within slot 56 tend to separate or expand, thus bearing against the sides of the slot so that the member is iiriction-= ally retained against rotation around the pivot 58.

The material of the nozzle adjacent to lip iii is formed with an inclined groove which communicates at its lower end with the outer end of bore 53 and is open at its upper end. Groove 59 extends at right angles to the axis of bore E58. The dimensions of groove are such that locking member 5? may be pivoted thereinto, and when so pivoted, is substantially fiush with the outer surface of the nozzle. The free end of locking member 5i is preferably iiorlred, as is shown at 66 in Fig. 17, in order that it may be easily en-= gaged by the finger of the operator when it is desired to pivot member 57] out of groove E59.

The operation of this embodiment, so far as cleaning is concerned, is the same as that previously described. Consequently, all that need'be described of its operation relates to the arrangement for rotating the tubular member it.

With the parts in the position shown in Figs. 13 through 17, the teeth on rod it] are exposed. If it is desired to obtain a smooth lip surface, the operator engages the forked end so of locking member ill with the end of his finger and pivots it to the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 17. In this position member bl is in a straight line with tubular member 2? and extension 5d, and hence, rotation of member ill through 180 degrees causes the tubular member to be rotated so that the semi-cylindrical portion thereof covers the grooves on rod it. Thereafter, locir-= ing member hi7 may be pivoted back into groove 59. Obviously, when member W is received in groove 59, it serv s to locir tubular member 271 against rotation.

I have found that better results are obtained by locating rod 58 and tubular member 2? in the rear lip of the nozzle. However, good results may beobtained by locating these members in the ior= ,ward lip i2 and, if desired, both the forward and rear lips may be provided with similar arrangements.

It will be noted that in the second emboent the tubular member may be rotated continuously in one direction, if desired. This is of advantage as it affords an easy and convenient means for dislodging any dirt that might tend to collect in the space between rod it and groove ill. 'lo remove such dirt, it is only necessary to rotate the tubular member several revolutions. This serves to work the dirt out from behind the rod.

While I have shown and described two preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that this has been done for purposes of illustration only and that my invention is not to be limited thereby, but the scope is to be determined by the appended claims considered in the light of the prior art.

What I claim is: a

l. A suction nozzle having selective work en- 5 gaging portions, one of which covers the other in one position and is retractable at least par-- tially within the wall of the structure defining the nozzle to uncover the other portion.

2. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 in which one of the selective work engaging portions is smooth and the other is comb-like.

3. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 in which the parts are so constructed and arranged that the cross-sectional area of the mouth of the nozzle is not changed by relative movement of the parts.

4. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 in which one of the work engaging portions is formed by a cylindrical rod and the retractable portion is of cylindrical form rotatable about the cylindrical rod. 20

5. A suction nozzle having a mouth defined by lip structure including selective work engaging portions, one of which is stationary and the other of which is movable, the movable portion having a working position overlying said stationary por- 5 tion and presenting a different character surface to the work, said movable portion being retractable within the lip structure to expose the stationary portion.

6. A nozzle as defined in claim 51in which there 30 is a space between the stationary and movable portions, which space is closed to substantially prevent air leakage therethrough in any selective position. 7

7. A suction nozzle having selective work en= 35 gaging portions, one of which is stationary and the other of which is movable. the movable por tion covering the stationary portion in one position and being retractable within the lip struc ture to uncover the stationary portion. q

8. A suction nozzle including a hollow member having an elongated suction opening bounded by lips having surface contacting faces, one of said lips being formed with a longitudinally extending recess, a fixed member secured in said s recess and having a surface contacting race disposed outside said recess and formed with transverse grooves, a member having a smooth.

surface contacting face, and means for rotatably mounting the last-mentioned member so that 50 it is rotatable about said fixed member to selectively cover and uncover said grooves.

9. A suction nozzle including a hollow memher having an elongated suction opening bounded by lips having surface contacting faces, one 55 of said lips being formed with a longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical recess, a cylindrical rod of less diameter than said recess fixed in said recess and concentric therewith, said rod having a surface contacting face formed with a plu- 60 rality of transverse grooves, and a tubular member mounted to rotateabout said" rod, said tubular member having a semi-cylindrical portion adapted to be rotated so as to cover said grooves and alternatively to be disposed between said rod 65 and the wall of said recess whereby said grooves are exposed.

10. A suction nozzle including a hollow member having an elongated suction opening bound= ed by lips having surface contacting faces, one of said. lips being formed with a longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical recess, a cylindrical ving a surface contacting face-"formed with a plurality of transverse grooves, a tubular member mounted to rotate about said rod, said tubu lar member having a semi-circular portion adapted to be rotated to a position so as to cover said grooves and alternatively to be positioned between said rod and the wall of said recess whereby said grooves are exposed, and means for securing said tubular member in either of said positions.

11. A suction nozzle including a hollow member having an elongated suction opening bounded by lips having surf-ace contacting faces, one of said lips including a fixed cylindrical bar formed with a plurality of transverse grooves in the surface contacting face thereof, and a tubu lar member mounted to rotate about said bar, said tubular member having a semi-cylindrical portion adapted to be rotated to selectively cover and uncover said grooves.

12. A suction nozzle including a hollow member having an elongated suction opening bounded by lips having surface contacting faces, one bf said lips being formed with a longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical recess, a cylindrical rod of less diameter than said recess fixed in said recess and concentric therewith, said rodhaving a surface contacting face formed with a plurality of transverse grooves, and a tubular member rotat-ably mounted in the annular space between said rod and the wall of said recess, said tubu= lar member having a semi-cylindrical portion adapted to be rotated so as to selectively cover and uncover said grooves.

13. A suction nozzle including a hollow member having an elongated suction opening bounded by lips having surface contacting faces, one of said lips being formed with a longitudinally'extending semi-cylindrical recess, a cylindrical rod of less diameter than said recess fixed in said recess and concentric therewith, said rod having a surface contacting face formed with a plu-= rality of transverse grooves, a tubular member mounted to rotate about said rod,- said tubular member having a semi-cylindrical portion adapt ed to be rotated so as to selectively cover and un cover said grooves, said rod having a portion of a reduced diameter adjacent to one end thereof,

and a locking member slidably and rotatably mounted on said portion of reduced diameter and extending through a slot in the surrounding portion of said tubular member, said lip adjacent to the end of said tubular member being formed with a slot adapted to receive said locking member to hold the latter against rotation.

14. A suction nozzle including a hollow member having an elongated suction opening bounded by lips having surface contacting faces, one of said lips being formed with a longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical recess, a cylindrical rod of less diameter than said recess fixed in said recess and concentric therewith, said rod having a surface contacting face formed with a plurality of transverse grooves, and a tubular member mounted to rotate about said rod, said tubular member'having a semi-cylindrical portion adapted to be rotated so as to cover said grooves and 5 a alternatively to be disposed between said rod and the wall of said recess whereby said grooves are exposed, the thickness of said tubular member being substantially the same as the thickness of the annular space between said rod and said 1 recess.

15. A suction nozzle including a. hollow memher having an elongated suction opening bounded by lips having surface contacting faces, one of said lips being formed with a longitudinally exsion of said tubular member rotatably received in said opening, and a locking member pivotally connected to said extension, said hollow member being formed with a groove extending at right angles to said opening and adapted to receive said locking member when the latter is pivoted to locking position.

16. A suction nozzle including a hollow member 35 having an elongated suction opening bounded by lips having surface contacting faces, one of said lips being formed with a longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical recess, a cylindrical rod of less diameter than said recess fixed in said 44) recess and concentric therewith, said rod having a surface contacting face formed with a plurality of transverse grooves, a tubular member mounted to rotate about said rod, said tubular member having a semi-cylindrical portion adapted to be rotated so as to selectively cover and uncover said grooves, said hollow member being formed with openings in alignment with said recess and extending from either end of said recess to the outside of said hollow member, said rod'being secured to said hollow member within one of said openings, an extension of said tubular member rotatably received in the other of said openings, and a locking member pivotally connected to said extension, said hollow member being 5 formed with a groove extending at right angles to the last-mentioned opening and adapted to receive said locking member when the latter is pivoted to locking position. i m

GEORGE HORACE CRANMER. 

